Christmas Gift Ideas That are Uniquely Canadian

This isn't one of those hubs that anyone's allowed to take offense to. As a proud Canuck and citizen in good standing of the province of Ontario, I claim the right to poke fun at my nationality. Let's face it, the things we're known for here in Canada are funny.

It always amuses me when I tell people in other countries that I'm from Canada and the first thing they mention is Bob and Doug McKenzie in the old '80's movie, Strange Brew. The McKenzie brothers are, perhaps, our biggest claim to fame, along with maple syrup, snow and over-politeness.

Well, we're all that and more, folks. We're deep. Really deep. Yet laughable.

Nothing says 'Canada' like maple syrup! Seriously, it oozes Canuck. Tapped right from our own trees, many from northern Ontario, this stuff is ooey-gooey-good.  If this doesn't give you a sugar spike, you're probably dead.

You say you're green with envy? Do you dream of freezing your butt off for six months of the year? Is shovelling snow your idea of a great time? Well, then, have we got the country for you!!

When in Rome, I mean Canada....Congratulations, you got here (legally, of course) and now you need to know how to blend in.  This book can fill you in on our customs and ways.  As I mentioned before, we're deep, so there's stuff to know.  I haven't read this book, but I'm sure the author has probably addressed the little matter of apologizing to inanimate objects and making sure that you don't wear your toque backwards.  You know, the essentials.

So you didn't get into the country, or you're struggling with our habits and culture. Maybe, you even want to pretend you're Canadian when travelling.  Fear not! You can just fake it until you get the hang of things. Go ahead, lots of people do it and we're too polite to mention it, anyway.

I would be totally remiss in my journalistic duty if I didn't mention our great Canadian bacon.  I don't know how it is different from American or Yugoslavian or any other country's bacon, but it's really delicious.  Most commonly used in sandwiches and on buns.  Try it, you'll like it.

In case you didn't know it, Rocky and Bullwinkle are Canadian. This Rocky bobble head doll makes the perfect gift for a moose and squirrel fan.

Oh yeah, we are renown sportsmen. Canada is all about hockey, eh?

We can all do moose calls too, and believe me, it takes talent. Luckily, it's built in, we're born with the gift. Really. Moose hunting is what we do during the hockey off season.

Aren't we just the quaintest people?  Mount a Canada goose on your wall and delight visitors by hanging their coats on the goose's webbed feet.  You'll be the only one on your block who can boast ownership of one of these!

Who says we're not sophisticated? Outfit your doggie in this gorgeous little number. It's trimmed with real sheared beaver fur.  Your best friend will feel like a million bucks.

If you want a bonafide Canadian look, you MUST sport a toque! As I understand it, Americans refer to this type of head gear as a "knitted hat." How funny and not very French Canadian at all! You can spot a Canuck in any crowd in the winter.

You just can't get too much Canadian culture.  Hey, we're proud of our heritage and we want our new little Canadians emersed in it, right from birth.  You too can raise a child in the Canadian way and make them multi-cultural.

We have a few log homes here in Ontario but there are a lot more in B.C. where much of the timber comes from.  B.C. is short for British Columbia, which on the west coast of Canada for those who don't know.  Anyway, you definitely do not want moisture in your logs, so be sure to check them.

It's okay if you didn't have a clue what or where B.C. is in the previous paragraph, because here's a learning tool for you. It's a map. See all those pretty colours? That's us. Each colour represents a different province or territory. If you're not Canadian, you live outside of the area with the pretty colours. See? Easy.  Now, if you find Ontario, you find me.

A VERY sexy American man once told me that Aero chocolate bars are not available in the States.  I believe him.  So, for those of you who have not had the pleasure of feeling the bubbles melt on your tongue, here's your chance to grab a small bit of Canadianna.  Enjoy!

Hey, it's cold and dark half the year, what else are we gonna do?  You can only watch the same reruns so many times.  Late summer and early fall are when the most births occur.  You do the math.

A mountie holding a Canadian flag....you just don't more Canuck than that.

This ornament is just perfect for a Canadian Christmas. Who wouldn't display this proudly on their tree?

Everyone the world over seems to be familiar with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. That's RCMP or Mounties, for short. Dudley Do-Right is the most famous Canadian Mountie of all and all 6 1/2" of him can be yours today. Snidley Whiplash also available.

Ahh, Moosehead beer! Our eastern provinces can be proud of the local brewery that makes and markets this uniquely Canadian product.

*No real mooseheads are used in the processing of this malt beverage.

Die hard Canadian patriots will love having Canada help them keep their pants from falling down. Made of solid pewter and colourfully enamelled, this belt buckle is a wonderful and classic piece of waist jewellery that will draw that hawt chick's eye to your nether region.  That's assuming that your belly isn't hanging over it.

I could keep going on and on, but I have to sleep sometime. Admit it though, this is nice stuff!

You can mock my Canuck-ism and lovely array of Canadian products in the comments if you so wish.

Meantime, have a very Merry Canadian Christmas, eh?